ZB Pedal Steel Guitars - Please help!

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 22 May 2005 5:30 pm

Hey Russ:

Thanks for posting the photos of your two ZBs. Very different aesthetics, for all of you keeping score - mostly, that the later ones lost the horns on the ends of the guitar. Which I believe resulted in a shorter body - notice the reinforced aluminum backing on the later one.

For you fanatics, also notice that the earlier ZB has a more rounded metal plate with the pickup selector and tap switches, also that the earlier one has the sliding switch in between the two knife switches that engage the tone/volume knobs on the changer side of the guitar.

Oh yeah, the tuning machines are different, too, with the older ones having Kluson Deluxe butterbean keys and the later ones having ??? (Schallers?).

Cool stuff on both of 'em. White fingerboards and pickups = more cool stuff, BTW.

All ZBest!
Larry[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 22 May 2005 at 06:33 PM.]

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 22 May 2005 5:33 pm

Chuck,

We hadn't heard from you in a while and I was wondering if that 12 string rebuild had caused you to do something drastic? I've found that cussing helps. Sorry, cant help with the pot.

Hi Larry! I didn't see you there. The newer one is 3" shorter. I'm no ZB mechanic but with some help I fixed the darn raise finger I broke. The newer one sounds great too. Lets see a post of your ZB family.

Russ[This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 22 May 2005 at 06:39 PM.][This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 22 May 2005 at 06:41 PM.]

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 22 May 2005 8:22 pm

Hey Russ:

I don't have enough memory in my digital camera... (:

Seriously, I'm still living in the stone age - particularly for being here in the middle of Silicon Valley. Once I have a digital camera (later this summer, if I just stop buying ZBs), I'll post away!

ZBest,
Larry

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 22 May 2005 9:27 pm

Larry or anyone, whats the story on the white vs black fretboards and pickups? Were they both optional at any point in ZB history or???
Also, taking one apart really helps to understand what factors into the ZB sound. Along with stainless caps,stops, and thick wood of course, that round, hollowed,cool looking horned plate, on which the changer mounts, really chimes and rings like a bell. Much more than the endplates.
I hope Im able to get to get this thing set up and running as well as others are.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 23 May 2005 6:47 pm

Rusty and ZB!!!!!!!!!!

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 24 May 2005 1:45 am

Russ. I'm knee deep in 12str pulls. My problem is ignorance. Now I'm using my 67
D10 as an example to try and rod the Uni.
Is there any reason not to hook directly to
the swivel or should you use the single tree
connections and why? May the knowledge of the
ZB masters smack me in the head. Great pic of Rusty.[This message was edited by Chuck McGill on 24 May 2005 at 02:47 AM.]

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 25 May 2005 3:38 pm

Chuck,

The ZB masters are smart. They give advice. We, on the other hand are knee deep in pulls! I feel your pain

All the best,
Russ

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 25 May 2005 4:18 pm

Chuck, my friend, I hate to be the one to inform you that your ZB U-12 has unfortunately been placed on the "defective" list, and in the interest of national security must immediately be sent to...well, you know the drill. Being that it was originally bought from a place called "Atomic" Music I'll try and keep the AEC, and the boys from Los Alamos out of this matter if you cooperate with this project. I know you'll do the right thing.
Duncan

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 26 May 2005 3:16 am

Duncan. Your a hoot. The only two things defective is my ability and your sense of humor brother that I enjoy. Man I am really
wanting some 12str ZB action but it looks like I'm going to have to get more parts. The
guitar had no usable copedant when I got it and now I know why.I promise (picture Gene Wilder as Young Frankensteen)by all my power
and limited funds the 12str will live.....
Bloucher(cue the horse)

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 26 May 2005 5:24 pm

Chuck, you have passed the test as a true American under the Patriot Act (as amended by the notorious lefty Duncan Hodge), meaning that you still use most of your brain and actually employ critical thinking. In recognition of this honor, you may keep your ZB. It is no longer considered a threat to our nation. For your safety, though, if you happen to be approached by those who fear "thinking outside the box" I would suggest just smile at them and by all means wave that flag.
Duncan

Pat Kelly · Post by **Pat Kelly** » 27 May 2005 12:48 pm

My D11 (0839, photo posted previously by Russ) does not have the control switches shown in recently posted photos. It has two (three position) switches on the back of the E9 neck both of which seem to generally impact on tone. There are no tone or volume "knobs." There is no switch to select necks. There is no sign of any modification at the changer end where a volume control may have been. What is the concensus here? Has the guitar been modified? It really would be convenient to at least be able to switch between necks and an on deck volume control would be desirable. Is there much involved installing these mods?

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 27 May 2005 1:06 pm

Pat,

The first switch R-(front neck) M-(both) L-(back neck). The left switch works the pickups three way sound. See picks of my ZB #0822 pg. 17. Looks to be the same as yours. On the vol and tone controls, I never use them on the older ZB.

Russ

John Rutledge · Post by **John Rutledge** » 30 May 2005 7:58 pm

Got my computer fixed and im now back online. I'm trying to anwser all of my emails as soon as I can.

Winston Street · Post by **Winston Street** » 1 Jun 2005 1:27 pm

Larry, haven't read any of your posts hardly, but it seems that you are doing a database on the where abouts of ZB guitars and their present homes. I just changed the leverages on 0038.. It belongs to Glenn Musgrove in Soso, Mississippi.. D/10, 8x4. There is also two ZB's on the floor at Music City Music in Magee, MS.. Don't know the serial numbers on them though. Could get them the next trip up there if this would be of use to your project.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 2 Jun 2005 8:12 pm

I've listed a posting for a brand new Greg Jones custom shop ZB Custom 8+4 in the Istruments For Sale section for any of you who are interested. This is the finest ZB Custom that both Greg and I have ever seen. Plays smooth as butter and is dead acccurate. Good luck.

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 7 Jun 2005 12:11 pm

Hey Larry (or other ZB-philes):

Any idea when (appx. what serial number) the ZB logo changed from the old version (as seen on Pete Grant's legendary 0009)

<img src=http://home.earthlink.net/~efgacb/siteb ... ldlogo.jpg>

to the rectangular ZB Custom

<img src=http://home.earthlink.net/~weissenben/s ... zb1846.jpg>

style? I'd be interested to get an informal survey from owners of ZBs with s/n's in the early 0xxx series (Bakersfield).

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 7 Jun 2005 12:50 pm

I own #0107, made in Bakersfield. I believe it to be a '69. It's brown and blond D-10, 7&3.

edit: It looks just like the one pictured above, and it has the extra row of holes between the tuning hex screws. Only difference might be the the inlays on the front. I bought it from a gentleman from the Petaluma Area, and he had it since '72 I believe. at least since '78. So it's a California Bird. ha! It has the black painted undercairrage. I'd like to know if all bakersfield units had the black painted cabinet.
[This message was edited by Mike Vallandigham on 07 June 2005 at 01:56 PM.]

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 7 Jun 2005 1:03 pm

Mine has a black painted underbelly and is #0115, built in Bakersfield in 1969-1970.

The brown is actually supposed to be red. From what I hear, they used food coloring as stain back then and most of the ZB guitars have faded.

Dave Z

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 7 Jun 2005 1:31 pm

Black painted undercarriage (mine too #0131) -- a serendipitous bit of knowlege I was curious, and am glad to know, about. At one time, I feared the black paint was camouflage for post-manufacture maintenance or modification gone wrong. Like so many things ZB: for whatever reason...

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 7 Jun 2005 1:55 pm

Hello Fellow ZBers:

I never would have dreamed of this thread running this long (all good info and great stories, too), so thanks to bOb for keeping it going and allowing it to grow - along with the interest in ZB guitars.

A great question about the different stickers - they definitely changed somewhere in the 68-69 period after Zane moved from Scranton, AK, to Bakersfield. My '67 has a CZB logo with Scranton, Arkansas written on it. I've seen (Pete's?) that's an early Bakersfield with the same CZB logo and "Bakersfield" written on it - I think... Greg Jones says an easy way to identify a Bakersfield guitar or earlier is that they used to have an extra row of holes at the endplate. The Phoenix-build guitars (I have two) all are missing this extra row. It's somewhere in the body of this thread. (:

All ZBest - keep the information coming. And congrats to Greg for building such a beautiful "New/Old" ZB. Greg, it's absolutely gorgeous and I'm sure it plays like a dream.

Larry

------------------
Larry Chung
'67 ZB D-10 8+4 (ser. #1077)
'69 ZB S-10 3+4 (ser. #0124)
'70 ZB D-10 8+4 (ser.# 0215)
'71 ZB Custom S-11 4+4 (ser. #0252)

[This message was edited by Larry Chung on 07 June 2005 at 02:57 PM.]

Patrick Ickes · Post by **Patrick Ickes** » 7 Jun 2005 9:06 pm

Hey Larry,
I heard you picked up a Gold Star recently.... Good move!
Hope to see you and "it" at Grass Valley.
Pat
PS Should I bring the F-400??

John Rutledge · Post by **John Rutledge** » 7 Jun 2005 9:18 pm

Dear Ben Elder;
I probably put the decal on that guitar. I started working for ZB Guitar Co in march of 69. We started useing the new decals the last part of 69 or the first part of 70.

John Rutledge · Post by **John Rutledge** » 7 Jun 2005 9:36 pm

WE made Reds and Browns the Reds would fade, But you could steel tell they were Red. The undercarriage was sprayed flat black. my steel is identical to the one that Russ Tkac showed. Even the inlay was the same. The only differance is my steel has white pickups.

Bob Hamilton · Post by **Bob Hamilton** » 7 Jun 2005 10:04 pm

Hi Mike, I've got number 0108 here on the Central Coast. Not too far from it's birthplace in Bakersfield. Blue and blonde with white fretboards and pickups, 9 floors and 6 knees. Black painted undercarriage, great guitar.

John Rutledge · Post by **John Rutledge** » 7 Jun 2005 10:31 pm

Boy you Guys keep talking about steels I put togather. I hope they steal play good after all these years.
John Rutledge